All Good Things Must End

Yes, I would like to play more teams from the Eastern Conference.  Edmonton's four game winning streak came to a halt on Wednesday as the Oilers dropped a 4-1 decision to the Predators.  Taylor Hall scored the lone Oiler tally in a game that saw the Predators launch thirty five shots on Ben Scrivens.   The Predators got two goals from Craig Smith, Pekka Rinne was nearly perfect, stopping 26 of 27 shots, and the Predators left Edmonton with their sixth win of the year.

The Oilers will have the opportunity to close out their home stand with five wins in seven games as they face off against everyone's favourite team from BC.

The Oilers are saying

• Alex Burrows has been suspended by the NHL for this dangerous hit on Montréal's Alexei Emelin.  I can't say as I'll miss him.
• ENCORE, BRAD HUNT - I've given Brad Hunt a lot of flack for his play on ice (I do that sometimes.  It's kind of my thing.  If Gazdic makes it back into the lineup, you'll see that a lot), and after a rough outing against Nashville, you'd think that the club might want to give Oscar Klefbom a call-up if Nikita Nikitin was unable due to back spasms.  Yeah, you'd be wrong.  Hunt is scheduled to be paired with Justin Schultz once again.
• EIGHT IS GREAT - Ben Scrivens is slated for his eighth consecutive start tonight.  Scrivens was a huge cog in Edmonton's four game win streak that was abruptly halted this past Wednesday.  I'd expect Viktor Fasth to get a look sometime in the near future now that he's back.
• STRONG FINISH - Oilers have the chance to finish their extended stay at home with five wins in seven games.  While several of these games were against Eastern Conference opponents, it's nice to win every once in a while.  After tonight, the Oilers set sail on a five game roadie starting in Philadelphia on Monday night.